PADRES: Maybin, club reach deal through at least 2016

PEORIA, Ariz. — Cameron Maybin will wear a Padres uniform through at least the 2016 season.

The Padres and Maybin finalized a deal that a team source said will guarantee the center fielder $25 million over five seasons with a $7-8 million team option for 2017. The deal also eats up Maybin's first two seasons of free agency. It also doesn't include a no-trade clause.

The product of a November 2010 trade from the Marlins, Maybin was named the Padres' most valuable player in 2011 after he hit .264 with nine homers and 40 RBIs and stole 40 bases in a career-high 137 games.

"It means a lot that these guys want me to be the face of the franchise, which I'm ready to be," Maybin said. "I didn't have the year I wanted to (last year). I think there's a lot more in there and a lot to come."

Maybin is the first player the Padres have signed to a long-term extension since December 2007, when they gave Jake Peavy a team-record deal for $52 million over four years.

The franchise also locked up Adrian Gonzalez and Chris Young earlier that season but haven't committed long term to any players until Maybin.

"It's a great thing ownership and Josh (Byrnes) got together with Cam and his agent and worked this out," Padres manager Bud Black said. "It gives us a player under contract we're excited to have."

Maybin earned $429,100 last season. He was set to become arbitration eligible at the conclusion of the 2012 season and would have been a free agent in 2016.

The Padres said last September they were interested in signing Maybin to a long-term deal. The team didn't make much progess at the time as one source said the sides were far apart.

"My track record over the last couple of years is you don't believe it until you see it," Maybin said. "But even if it didn't happen they were going to get the same player."

Maybin returned to his old representative, Brian Goldberg, in January. Goldberg and the team renewed talks in February. Even though he was flattered by the team's interest, Maybin said he didn't allow himself to believe the deal would be completed. But, he also wasn't going to let the lack of a deal keep him from developing further this season.

"I think the fact he has fan appeal is a nice bonus," Byrnes said. "He's a guy who's invested in teammates and winning. He gets high reviews around the club. He's only 24 and he has to earn the next level of status. But his character was important in making this type of investment."